Urology Centre To Be Named After Prostate Project Chairman

Published on: 2 Jul, 2017
Updated on: 7 Jul, 2017

By Louisa Magnussen

The Royal Surrey County Hospital and the Prostate Project have announced that its new urology centre will be named after a determined and dedicated fundraiser.

Prostrate Project chairman Colin Stokes.

Once completed, the building will be known as The Stokes Centre for Urology, honouring the work of Prostate Project chairman Colin Stokes.

Mr Stokes was 57 years old and had just launched his own consultancy business when he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.

It was during an initial appointment with consultant urological surgeon, John Davies, that he promised to help his doctor raise some money in exchange for ‘keeping him alive.’

The charity that they co-founded was to run for three years, with the goal of raising a quarter of a million pounds and purchasing equipment, including an ultrasound scanner, for the hospital (RSCH).

Almost 20 years on, the 78-year-old still can’t quite believe what the boy from Bromley, Kent, who left school at 15 years of age, has achieved.

Mr Stokes said: “If you had told me back in 1998 that the Prostate Project would be helping to build this phenomenal facility and that it would be named after me, I know I would have laughed.

“I was completely dumbstruck when I was told the Royal Surrey wanted to call it The Stokes Centre for Urology and just didn’t know what to say.”

Mr Stokes has a doctorate from the University of Surrey and an MBE for services to the Royal Surrey.

The father-of-three, who recently celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary with wife Barbara, said he has always been inspired by a quote from wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we earn, but we make a life by what we give.”

Mr Stokes added: “It is important for me to stress that this is not just an honour for me. It also recognises the incredible team effort from countless individuals over the years, who have helped bring this project to reality. It is also thanks to the very generous donors.”

The project is being jointly funded by the hospital’s trust and the Prostate Project, with the charity providing just under half the amount.

Building work on the £4.5 million best-in-class facility started earlier this year and is on schedule to be completed by the summer of 2018.

Mr Stokes, who still requires regular treatment at the Royal Surrey, said that once completed the centre will provide an excellent experience for NHS patients and medical staff.

When he is not raising money for the Prostate Project, he is also a trustee of the Meath Epilepsy Charity and chairman of Arthouse Meath.

Alf Turner, director of human resources and business support, who is leading on the project for the Trust said: “Colin Stokes is an inspirational man, who has shown relentless drive and commitment to help other people by creating this best-in-class facility at the Royal Surrey.

“Hundreds of thousands of patients and their families will benefit from The Stokes Centre for Urology once completed.”

The Prostate Project is currently running a buy a brick appeal as part of its commitment to raise £2 million towards the costs of the pioneering centre.

To help raise the £250,000 they still need, visit: http://www.prostate-project.org.uk/.